On March 18, 1974, by decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the AK-74 assault rifle was adopted by the Soviet army.
Its main feature was the transition to 5.45 caliber instead of 7.62, which was used on the first AK-47 and its modernized AKM variant.
As noted in an article by the scientific editor of Kalashnikov magazine Yuri Ponomarev, the advantage of a small caliber is in reducing the weight of both the cartridge itself and the weapon.
This, in turn, allows you to increase the ammunition load with the same weight load.
In addition, reducing the caliber reduces the recoil impulse of the weapon, which increases the accuracy of fire and the ease of use of the machine gun.
The United States made the transition to 5.56 caliber in 1964, adopting the M16 rifle.
The USSR took into account the American experience and in 1966 formed tactical and technical requirements for the design of a new cartridge and machine gun.
Small arms designer, major general, twice Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov
RIA News
© Vladimir Vyatkin
“Soviet intelligence learned about the Americans switching to a reduced caliber.
This concept was tested in the USSR and they came to the conclusion that reducing the caliber and recoil impulse leads to gains in firing efficiency and ammunition weight.
After that, work began on creating our own cartridge and machine gun,” said military expert Maxim Popenker in a conversation with RT.
Several design teams proposed their own designs for the new machine gun.
In total, more than 20 prototypes of experimental machines reached the stages of prototyping and factory testing, but most of them were rejected due to non-compliance with the required technical parameters.
After the elimination, the struggle was continued by the projects of designers Yuri Alexandrov, Alexander Konstantinov and Mikhail Kalashnikov.
The competitors were neck and neck, and for a long time during testing it was not possible to determine the best project.
In many aspects, the Aleksandrovsky AL-7, the Konstantinovsky SA-006 and the Kalashnikov A-3 (the future AK-74) were practically equivalent.
However, ultimately, the Main Rocket and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) and the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the Ground Forces recommended an assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov chambered for 5.45 for adoption by the Soviet army.
The AL-7 project was rejected due to the fact that it was at an earlier stage of implementation compared to the AK-74 and SA-006.
The disadvantages of the SA-006 were considered to be a significantly greater reloading force, increased gas pollution during shooting and instability of bullet dispersion characteristics when changing shooting positions.
Foldable, shortened and streamlined
As Maxim Popenker notes, the choice to reduce the caliber of the new machine gun was justified.
“The mass of portable ammunition has decreased by one and a half times.
That is, a fighter with the same mass could carry one and a half times more cartridges.
This simplified logistics and production.
Returns have been significantly reduced and efficiency has increased.
The flatness of the shot has increased, that is, the shooting accuracy has increased,” Popenker explained.
The weight of the AK-74 with a full magazine was 3.6 kg, the effective range was 1000 m, and the rate of fire was 600 rounds per minute.
Simultaneously with the AK-74, the RPK-74 light machine gun, which was created to replace the 7.62 mm RPK, was also adopted as part of a unified family of 5.45 caliber weapons.
In addition, an automatic rifle with a folding stock, AKS-74, and its shortened version, AKS-74U, were produced.
The crews of combat vehicles and aircraft were equipped with AKS-74U assault rifles.
It was also included as an auxiliary weapon in the equipment of grenade launchers and was in service with special forces units and law enforcement agencies.
In 1993, a modernized version of the AK-74M was put into service.
It now has a bar for mounting optical or optical-electronic dovetail sights.
The receiver was also improved and new materials and special coating of metal parts were introduced, which ensured better safety of the weapon.
In addition to this, as part of the modernization, the production technology of some machine components was simplified.
Currently, in addition to Russia, the AK-74M is in service with dozens of countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Turkmenistan.
It is worth noting that the AK-74 family of assault rifles was produced not only in the USSR, but also abroad.
Among the foreign copies of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, one can highlight the Polish Karabinek wz.
88 Tantal (later on its basis the Karabinek wz. 96 Beryl was also created under the NATO 5.56 cartridge), the Czech ČZ 2000 and the Hungarian NGM-81.
Moscow International Arms Exhibition in Sokolniki.
On the stand is an assault rifle of the M. Kalashnikov system AKS-74UDP97-1271
RIA News
© Vladimir Vyatkin
According to analysts, the widespread use of the AK-74 in the world indicates the success of this project.
“The AK-74 is one of the world leaders in terms of production volume of assault rifles, and the export version of this weapon is also among the most popular.
On its basis, modernization was carried out, several modifications were made.
The AK-74 has proven itself very well,” Alexander Butyrin noted in a conversation with RT.
New Generation
Nowadays, the AK-74 family has been replaced by the AK-12 assault rifle, which was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2018.
As noted on the website of the Kalashnikov concern, the AK-12 is part of the “Ratnik” equipment of the serviceman and is “the main example of individual small arms for personnel of motorized rifle and other units of the Russian Armed Forces.”
“This model is the pinnacle of development of the AK system and differs from previous generations in its thoughtful ergonomics, adaptation to daily use and increased accuracy and accuracy of fire,” the company’s materials indicate.
The AK-12 is equipped with a Picatinny rail for mounting collimator, optical and night sights.
Similar mounts are also located on the forend, which allows the use of all types of bipods and stops.
The muzzle brake-compensator (DTK) minimizes barrel flip, reduces recoil and reduces flash when fired.
The folding stock of the AK-12 can be adjusted to customize the product to the individual characteristics of the shooter.
In 2023, the Kalashnikov concern reported that the AK-12 was modified taking into account the experience of the SVO.
The designers improved the diopter sight, safety control system and muzzle device.
Along with the AK-12, the AK-15 chambered for 7.62 mm was also adopted for service in 2018.
According to Maxim Popenker, this machine gun is intended for Russian special forces.
As Alexander Butyrin notes, the new generation of AK assault rifles differs from its predecessors in “the use of new materials in production and the placement of additional fasteners on the weapon body,” which allow expanding the functionality of the assault rifle.
“Such mounts allow the installation of surveillance devices, under-barrel lights and other similar equipment.
Currently this is in great demand.
If we take the AK-74 in its basic version, then to install, for example, an optical sight on it, an additional mount was required.
The modern AK-12 is more convenient in this sense,” the specialist concluded.